Sleep curtain

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a bed dividing barrier in order to provide at least one of the individuals in a bed privacy or to limit the amount of light from one side of the bed to the other. The present invention describes a novel device that provides privacy between individuals sharing a bed and includes at least one dividing barrier which is attached at one end to at least one vertical support member and wherein such vertical support extends vertically from a base support structure. The present invention may further include a horizontal support that provides further support to the bed dividing barrier.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a bed dividing barrier in order toprovide at least one of the individuals in a bed privacy or to limit theamount of light from one side of the bed to the other.

BACKGROUND ART

There are many instances where couples and individuals sharing a bed maywant to have some privacy while sleeping in the same bed. One individualmay want to read a book, an electronic tablet, or a computer, or watchtelevision while the other individual sharing the bed wishes to sleep. Adividing barrier to divide the bed would allow individuals to do theirdesired activities while not interfering with the other person sharingthe bed. Another benefit of having a dividing barrier to divide the bedis the curtain would provide means to limit light entering from one sideof the bed to the other.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,510,572 discloses the use of a triangular flag suspendedfrom its top point to a wall. One disadvantage of that prior artreference is that a triangular flag provides limited coverage betweenthe two sides of the bed. A second disadvantage of the prior art is thatrequires an attachment to the wall and therefore is fixed to a specificlocation and cannot be easily relocated.

To overcome these disadvantages of the prior art, an object of thepresent invention is a dividing barrier that would maximize the coveragearea of the dividing barrier and provide superior coverage to the priorart. Another object of the present invention is that the supportstructure for such dividing barrier would be easily movable and notfixed to a wall. The benefit of having a support structure that couldeasily be moved is that it could be moved to be used in different rooms,with differently sized beds, or even on the edge of the bed. Anotherimprovement over the prior art is that the present invention does notrequire an attachment to the wall, but rather the lightweight movablestructure can easily be installed and removed if desired. Furthermore,the present invention may be comprised of a rectangular curtain that canbe more effective in shielding light. Another object of the presentinvention is having the support structure and the edge of the dividingcurtain positioned close to the headboard of a bed to render the novelinvention more effective in shielding light, especially when using atablet or computer. Finally, another object of the present invention, isthat the support structure and dividing barrier be more easilydeployable than the prior art especially when the user is lying in bedunder the cover in that the user would simply need to extend the user'sarm to rotate the barrier into place.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is comprised of a bed dividing barrier to provideprivacy to individuals sharing a bed comprising at least one dividingbarrier that extends at one end from the head portion of a bed towardsthe opposite end, said dividing barrier attached at one end to at leastone vertical support member to provide support for such dividing barrierwherein such vertical support extends vertically from a base supportstructure.

The at least one dividing barrier is comprised of a flexible barrier forshielding light rays from one side of the bed to the other side. In oneembodiment, the at least one dividing barrier may be shaped as apennant, flag or right angle triangle shape wherein the at least onebarrier is angled and tapers at the end of the at least one barrier thatis distal to the head portion of the bed. In this embodiment, the atleast one barrier is releasably attached at one end to a verticalsupport member to provide support to the least one barrier. In saidembodiment, the end of the at least one barrier distal to the headportion of the bed may be weighted so that the at least one barrier isin tension so that at least one barrier extends fully from the one endof the head towards the other.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the at least onebarrier may be releasably attached to a horizontal support member at itstop edge. Such horizontal support member would provide support to the atleast one barrier across the length of the at least one barrier. In apreferred embodiment, the horizontal support member may rotate about theaxis of the vertical support member. In such embodiment, the user mayrotate the horizontal member support so that in its deployed positionwherein the horizontal member support extends along the longitudinalplane of the bed so that the horizontal support member and the at leastone barrier are positioned along the central median vertical plane ofthe bed. In the deployed position, the at least one barrier providesprivacy between the two sides of the bed. The user may also rotate thehorizontal support member so that in its resting position, thehorizontal member support and the at least one barrier are positioned tobe parallel to the head board or wall located behind the bed. In theresting position, the horizontal support member places the at least onebarrier out of the sight of the users as they are laying in bed. Thebenefit of such novel invention is that the at least one barrier is ableto be rotated and moved and not forced to be always in a fixed position.

The at least one vertical support member of the present invention wouldextend vertically at one end from the base structure to the opposite endto be releasably attached to the at least one dividing barrier. In apreferred embodiment, the at least one dividing barrier includes anopen-ended sleeve along the edge of the at least one barrier mostproximal to the head portion of the bed. The at least one verticalsupport is positioned to extend vertically within such sleeve to providesupport to the at least one barrier. In a preferred embodiment, the atleast one vertical support member may be collapsible and extendablevertically parallel to the head board of the bed or the wall behind thebed. A benefit of the present invention is that the height of the atleast one barrier is adjustable so that the user can vary the height ofthe vertical support member and the at least one barrier to suit theheight requirements for different sized beds. The barrier can bedesigned to accommodate the thicker, more common, mattresses.

The base support structure may be any conventional means of supporting avertical or upright member including but not limited to an at leasttwo-legged stand or support, a circular base, a semi-circular base, arectangular base, a weighted base or any conventional means of providingupright support to a vertical member. In a preferred embodiment, thebase structure is comprised of a vertical support member that is fixedto a right angle two-legged stand wherein two members meet at a rightangle and run parallel to the ground. The benefit of the presentinvention is that the support structure may be positioned in variouslocations. The base structure may be placed on the floor beneath thebed. In a preferred embodiment, the base structure may be placed beneaththe mattress. As a result, the user may place the base structure whereit best suits the requirements of the bed.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention is further comprised ofa detachable light fixture that may be detachably attached to a featureof the support structure. Such light fixture allows a user to focus thelight on the desired side of the bed. In another embodiment, the lightfixture may be integrated into the support structure of the presentinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present inventionwherein the at least one barrier is flag shaped;

FIG. 2 is a side view of an embodiment of the present invention whereinthe at least one barrier is flag shaped and the base structure has beenpositioned beneath the mattress;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present inventionwherein the at least one barrier is flag shaped and the base structurehas been positioned beneath the mattress;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present inventionwherein the at least one barrier, at least one vertical support memberand horizontal support member are illustrated;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present inventionwherein the base structure and vertical support member are illustrated;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present inventionwherein a horizontal support member provides support to the at least onebarrier;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present inventionwherein a horizontal support member provides support to the at least onebarrier;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the presentinvention wherein the base structure has been positioned beneath themattress;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the embodiment in FIG. 8 wherein thebroken lines illustrate the positioning of the base structure beneaththe mattress;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the embodiment in FIG.8 wherein thebase structure has been positioned on top of the box spring or bed wherethe mattress (not shown) will be positioned to secure the base in place;

FIG. 11 a side view of the embodiment in FIG. 8 wherein the basestructure has been positioned beneath the mattress;

FIG. 12 is a side view of the embodiment in FIG. 8 wherein the basestructure has been positioned on top of the box spring or bed (mattressnot shown) and the horizontal support member is in its deployedposition;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the embodiment in FIG. 8 wherein thehorizontal support member is in its resting position;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present inventionwherein a detachable light fixture is detachably attached to a supportmember that is an integral part of the support structure;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a detachable light fixture that isdetachably attached to a support member that is an integral part of thesupport structure in an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a left side view of an embodiment of the present inventionwherein a detachable light fixture is detachably attached to a supportmember of the support structure;

FIG. 17 is a right side view of an embodiment of the present inventionwherein a detachable light fixture is detachably attached to a supportmember of the support structure;

FIG. 18 is a left side view of an embodiment of the present inventionwherein the light is integrated into the support structure and the headlamp is positioned hidden behind the at least one barrier;

FIG. 19 is a right side view of an embodiment of the present inventionwherein the light is integrated into the support structure;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a light that is integrated into thesupport structure in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the present inventionwherein the horizontal support member is positioned atop the verticalsupport member wherein the barrier is omitted in the representation; and

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of another embodiment similar to theembodiment in FIG. 8 wherein the design of the base differs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention as illustrated in FIG. 1, shown generally at 1, isa novel device that provides privacy between individuals sharing a bedand is comprised of at least one dividing barrier 3 which is attached atone end to at least one vertical support member 5 and wherein suchvertical support 5 extends vertically from a base support structure 7.

The at least one dividing barrier 3 is comprised of a flexible barrierfor shielding light rays from one side of the bed to the other side. Theat least one barrier 3 may be comprised of any lightweight material thatis not light permeable.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, in one embodiment of the invention, the atleast one dividing barrier 3 may be shaped as a pennant, flag orright-angle triangle shape wherein the at least one barrier 3 is angledand tapers at the end of the at least one barrier that is distal to thehead portion of the bed. The at least one barrier 3 is releasablyattached at one end to a vertical support member 5 to provide support tothe least one barrier 3. In said embodiment, the end of the at least onebarrier distal to the head portion of the bed may be weighted by aweight 9 so that the at least one barrier 3 is in tension and is capableof extending fully from the one end of the bed towards the other.

As shown in the FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, in an embodiment, the at least onedividing barrier 3 is further comprised of an open-ended sleeve 11 alongthe edge of the at least one barrier most proximal to the head portionof the bed. The at least one vertical support 5 is positioned to extendvertically within such sleeve 11 to provide support to the at least onebarrier 3.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated inFIGS. 4, 5, 6, and 7, 21 and 22. In such embodiment, the at least onebarrier may be releasably attached to a horizontal support member 13 atits top edge. The horizontal support member 13 provides support to theat least one barrier 3 across the length of the at least one barrier 3.In a preferred embodiment, the at least one dividing barrier 3 is alsofurther comprised of an open-ended sleeve 15 along the top edge of theat least one barrier wherein the horizontal support member 13 ispositioned to extend within such sleeve 15 to provide support to the atleast one barrier 3.

In one embodiment, the horizontal support member 13 may rotate about theaxis of the vertical support member 5. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, theuser may rotate the horizontal member support 13 to be in a “deployed”position, wherein the horizontal member support 13 extends along thelength of the bed. In such deployed position, the horizontal supportmember 13 and the at least one barrier 3 are positioned along thecentral median vertical plane of the bed. As shown in FIG. 13, the usermay also position the horizontal support member 13 to be in a “resting”position, such that the horizontal member support 13 and at least onebarrier 3 are positioned to be parallel to the head board or walllocated behind the bed. In the resting position, the at least onebarrier 3 is put out of the sight of the users as they are laying inbed.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the at least one vertical member of the basesupport structure 7 may be telescopically adjustable tubes which allowthem to be collapsible and extendable. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, thefree end of the vertical member 17 of the base support structure 7 fitsconcentrically within the free end 19 of the vertical support member 5.Such free end of the vertical member 17 will bottom out within the endof the vertical support member allowing the vertical support member 5 tobe supported and to be free to rotate. Such feature of the presentinvention allows the height of the vertical support member 17 to beadjustable so that the user can vary the height of the vertical supportmember 17 and the at least one barrier 3 to suit the height requirementsfor different sized beds. Alternatively, the vertical support member 5is a rod that fits concentrically within the vertical member 17 of thebase.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 6 and 7, the vertical supportmember 5 and horizontal support member 13 may be constructed out ofrigid plastic tubing. The vertical support member 6 and the horizontalsupport member 13 are positioned perpendicular to one another whereinthe vertical support member 5 extends vertically from the base supportstructure. The free end of the vertical support member fits into one endof the connector bend 21. The horizontal support member 13 is positionedat a ninety-degree angle relative to the vertical support member 5 andfits into the other end of the connector bend 21.

In another embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13, thevertical support member 5 and horizontal support member 13 may beconstructed of a lightweight metal material. Alternatively, the verticalsupport member 5 and horizontal support member 13 may be constructed ofwood or wood composite material. As in the other embodiment, thevertical support member 5 and the horizontal support member 13 arepositioned perpendicular to one another wherein the vertical supportmember 5 extends vertically from the base support structure 7. As shownin detail in FIG. 14, the free end of the vertical support member fitsinto one opening in a connector head 23. The horizontal support member13 is positioned at a ninety degree angle relative to the verticalsupport member 5 and fits into another opening of the connector head 23.The connector head 23 is therefore mounted onto the free end of thevertical support member. The connector head 23 allows the horizontalsupport member 13 to rotate about the axis of the vertical supportmember 5 and to move into “deployed” and “resting” positions. As shownin FIGS. 8 and 9, the user is capable of rotating the horizontal supportmember 13 and at least one barrier to be in a “deployed” position.Likewise, the user is also able to rotate the horizontal support member13 and at least one barrier to be in a resting position as shown in FIG.13.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the connector head 23 mayfurther include mounting for a light fixture to be attached theinvention. The connector head 23 may include a support bar 25 as shownin FIGS. 14 and 15. The light fixture 29 may be releasably attached tothe support bar 25 via a clamp or clamping means 27. As shown in FIGS.16, 17, 18, 19, and 20, the light fixture may be positioned to shinelight on either side of the at least one barrier 3.

The base support structure 7 may be any conventional means of supportinga vertical or upright member including but not limited to an at leasttwo-legged stand or support, a circular base, rectilinear base, aweighted base or any conventional means of providing upright support toa vertical member. In a preferred embodiment, the base structure iscomprised of a vertical support member that is fixed to a right angletwo-legged stand wherein two members meet at a right angle and runparallel to the ground. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 22, the basestructure is comprised of a vertical support member that is fixed to atwo-legged stand wherein two members are positioned to run along thesame plane and run parallel to the ground.

The benefit of the present invention is that the support structure maybe positioned in various locations. The base structure may be placed onthe floor beneath the bed or behind the bed. In a preferred embodiment,as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the base structure 7 may be placed beneaththe beneath the mattress. As a result, the user may place the basestructure where it best suits the requirements of the bed.

The foregoing detailed description is given for clearness ofunderstanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understoodtherefrom, as modifications will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

1. A bed divider to provide a light shield comprising: At least onedividing barrier comprised of a barrier for shielding light; and Atleast one vertical support member to provide support for such dividingbarrier wherein such vertical support extends vertically from a basesupport structure; and At least one horizontal support member to providesupport to said dividing barrier.
 2. A bed divider according to claim 1wherein the structure is articulated to provide the ability to move thedividing barrier in a minimum of at least two separate positions, suchas in use or in storage.
 3. A bed divider according to claim 1 whereinthe divider barrier is maintained in its current position by friction orby a locking mechanism internal to the support structure.
 4. A beddivider according to claim 1 wherein the support structure is composedof one or several separate independent subsystems that interact with oneanother.
 5. A bed divider according to claim 1 wherein the supportstructure is an assembly of tube(s), rod(s), fitting(s), connectingpart(s), pivot(s), and/or articulation(s).
 6. A bed divider according toclaim 1 wherein the support structure is made of metal, plastic, wood,or composite materials components.
 7. A bed divider according to claim 1wherein the dividing barrier is made of any material capable ofshielding light to a degree sufficient for the purpose of thisapplication, such as but not limited to: cloth material, fabricmaterial, woven or non-woven material, cloth-like material, plasticfilm, cardboard, paper, wood, etc.
 8. A bed divider according to claim 1wherein the dividing barrier is of the shape of a rectangle, a trapeze,a triangle, a pennant, or any other polygon.
 9. A bed divider accordingto claim 1 wherein the dividing barrier is positioned during use in thevicinity of the central median vertical plane of the bed.
 10. A beddivider according to claim 1 wherein the dividing barrier is positionedduring use in the vicinity of the left or right side vertical plane ofthe bed.
 11. A bed divider according to claim 1 wherein the distal tipof the dividing barrier, when positioned during use, is extending fromthe vicinity of the head board to a minimum of 10 inches from theheadboard.
 12. A bed divider according to claim 1 wherein the distal tipof the dividing barrier, when positioned during use, is extending aminimum of 10 inches from the mattress top.
 13. A bed divider accordingto claim 1 wherein the bottom edge of the dividing barrier, whenpositioned during use, is either (i) touching or (ii) extending amaximum distance of 5 inches from the mattress top.
 14. A bed divideraccording to claim 1 wherein the essence of the interaction between thebed divider and the bed is either: (i) secured by the bed, such as, butnot limited to, when the base of the support structure is positionedunder the mattress; (ii) attached to the bed or the bed frame; (iii)positioned or resting on top of the bed; (iv) positioned by the bed,such as with a stand on the floor; or (v) integrated in the bed, such asin the bed frame.
 15. A bed divider according to claim 1 wherein thevertical position of the bottom edge of the dividing barrier can beadjusted to account for different bed or mattress heights.
 16. A beddivider according to claim 1 wherein the support structure comprises atelescopic element.
 17. A bed divider according to claim 1 wherein thedividing barrier is constrained by a horizontal element integral to thesupport structure.
 18. A bed divider according to claim 1 wherein thedividing barrier is constrained by a vertical element integral to thesupport structure.
 19. A bed divider according to claim 1 wherein thedividing barrier is weighted at a point or along an edge distal to anelement integral to the structure.
 20. A bed divider according to claim1 wherein the base of the support structure is comprised of a flatpolygonal element.
 21. A bed divider according to claim 1 wherein thebase support structure is comprised of a flat polygonal element and atleast one leg extending from said base.
 22. A bed divider according toclaim 1 wherein the at least one horizontal support member and the atleast one vertical member are positioned at right angles relatively toone another via a connector.
 23. A bed divider according to claim 1wherein the dividing barrier can rotate about the axis of the verticalsupport member.
 24. A bed divider according to claim 22 wherein theconnector can rotate about the axis of the vertical support member. 25.A bed divider according to claim 1 wherein the dividing barrier canrotate about an axis perpendicular to the vertical support member.
 26. Abed divider according to claim 1 wherein the at least one verticalsupport member extending from the base is a bottom tube attached to thebase.
 27. A bed divider according to claim 26 wherein a second verticalsupport member is connected to the horizontal support member via aconnector. The second vertical member is engaging the bottom verticaltube: either inside the internal diameter of the bottom tube, or aroundthe outer diameter of the bottom tube.
 28. A bed divider according toclaim 1 wherein the support structure would allow a releasabledetachable light to be positioned.
 29. A bed divider according to claim1 wherein the bed divider has a light integrated into its structure. 30.A bed divider to provide a light shield comprising: At least onedividing barrier comprised of a barrier for shielding light; and Amechanical structure interacting with the bed to provide support to saiddividing barrier.
 31. A bed divider according to claim 30 wherein thestructure is articulated to provide the ability to move the dividingbarrier in a minimum of at least two separate positions, such as in useor in storage.
 32. A bed divider according to claim 30 wherein thedivider barrier is maintained in its current position by friction or bya locking mechanism internal to the support structure.
 33. A bed divideraccording to claim 30 wherein the support structure is composed of oneor several separate independent subsystems that interact with oneanother.
 34. A bed divider according to claim 30 wherein the supportstructure is an assembly of tube(s), rod(s), fitting(s), connectingpart(s), pivot(s), and/or articulation(s).
 35. A bed divider accordingto claim 30 wherein the support structure is made of metal, plastic,wood, or composite materials components.
 36. A bed divider according toclaim 30 wherein the support structure comprises a telescopic element toadjust height of bottom dividing barrier height according to the bed ormattress height.
 37. A bed divider according to claim 30 wherein thenature of the interaction between the bed divider and the bed is either:(i) secured by the bed, such as, but not limited to, when part of thesupport structure is positioned under the mattress; (ii) attached to thebed or the bed frame; (iii) positioned or resting on top of the bed;(iv) positioned by the bed, such as with a stand on the floor; or (v)integrated in the bed, such as in the bed frame.
 38. A bed divideraccording to claim 30 wherein the dividing barrier is made of anymaterial capable of shielding light to a degree sufficient for thepurpose of this application such as but not limited to: cloth material,fabric material, woven or non-woven material, cloth-like material,plastic film, cardboard, paper, wood, etc.
 39. A bed divider accordingto claim 30 wherein said dividing barrier is noise-free upon contact.40. A bed divider according to claim 30 wherein said dividing barriercomprises a quilted material for sound insulation.
 41. A bed divideraccording to claim 30 wherein the dividing barrier is of the shape of arectangle, a trapeze, a triangle, a pennant, or any other polygon.
 42. Abed divider according to claim 30 wherein the dividing barrier ispositioned during use in the vicinity of the central median verticalplane of the bed.
 43. A bed divider according to claim 30 wherein thedistal tip of the dividing barrier, when positioned during use, isextending from the vicinity of the head board to a minimum of 10 inchesfrom the headboard.
 44. A bed divider according to claim 30 wherein thedistal tip of the dividing barrier, when positioned during use, isextending a minimum of 10 inches from the mattress top.
 45. A beddivider according to claim 30 wherein the bottom edge of the dividingbarrier, when positioned during use, is either (i) touching or (ii)extending a maximum distance of 5 inches from the mattress top.
 46. Abed divider according to claim 30 wherein the dividing barrier isconstrained by a horizontal element integral to the support structure.47. A bed divider according to claim 30 wherein the dividing barrier isconstrained by a vertical element integral to the support structure. 48.A bed divider according to claim 30 wherein the dividing barrier isweighted at a point or along an edge distal to an element integral tothe structure.
 49. A bed divider according to claim 30 wherein thestructure is raising from a base.
 50. A bed divider according to claim49 wherein the base is composed of a flat polygon base, or at least twofeet connected to a connecting part, or a composite design thereof. 51.A bed divider according to claim 30 wherein the support structure wouldallow a releasable detachable light to be positioned.
 52. A bed divideraccording to claim 30 wherein the bed divider has a light integratedinto its structure.
 53. (canceled)
 54. (canceled)
 55. (canceled) 56.(canceled)